October 29, 1975 (Letter from Dick)

I mailed a letter of recommendation to Janet Alexander.  Hope you get what you want for a job.

I talked to Carmen about your retirement check and she checked into it.  They are in the process of getting it ready now, but they have had some trouble with their computer.  It may take another two weeks or so to get it out.  Normally it has not taken this long.  Carmen then asked about mine and the process cannot be started until the last day of work -- they then said it could take two months.  Fortunately I plan on using the money for a new car next spring, but I would like to have had the money to earn interest in the meantime.

I have four and a half more week and am counting each day.  Things are just as bad as ever around here.  Your position was not replaced at the prison.  AJ hired a reference librarian to do "institutional requests" which means reference just has another body to do their work and the prison must depend upon a guard.

Frank Morrison has really gotten into the whole mess -- he is now Bretz's attorney and is devoting a lot of time to the case.  He really feels that he is on to something a lot bigger than most realize. Not sure what will all come of it, but Frank is energetic and highly incensed.  His wife, Sharon, is now actively involved also and doing a lot of research for him.

I now definitely plan to spend the winter here, with some travel.  Mostly will be working on the silver and getting some skiing in.  Am seriously considering a job for next spring in the Southwest -- Arizona.

Keep in touch.

October 6, 1975 (Letter from DIck)

Thought you might want a copy of this just in case you don't otherwise see it.  I talked to the reporter several times and he is really fired up about your case and the whole rotten mess.

Have you given any consideration to a civil suit as Frank Morrison mentions in the article?  A question you need not answer to me, but something I think you might at least give thought to.

Today I resigned my position at the State Library.  Will be working for almost eight more weeks -- Thanksgiving weekend and then be free.  I don't plan to return to work until sometime next spring -- and then in a different area of the country.  Have several job offers for next spring and will probably take one that is in a warm climate.  The situation at the state library gets worse instead of better and I can no longer take it mentally or physically.  Plan to spend the winter at the house working on my silver projects and skiing during the week when the crowds are thin.  Hop[e to also see some friends and do some traveling -- at least until I think I have spent enough money and that again there should be a pay check coming in - -but not before April under any circumstances.

Hope you keep in touch and let me know where you are and what you are doing.  Remember I will give you a letter of recommendation when you need one and if anyone has questions about the prison situation I will be happy to tell them my version in defense of you.

Must run to the store and on to a meeting.  Do keep in touch.

September 26, 1975 (Letter from Cheryl)

Thought I'd write you & see how your doin'?  Hope your doin fine -- are you still working in the library?  We are all fine.  Georgie is in school now & likes it pretty much, as much as he can like school.  Me & Lawana fart around all day, goin to junk stores & down by the creek's.  We got a neat log cabin house with 3 bedrooms, no neighbors to speak of and 300 ft. behind the house that's ours.  It's right in the mountains too -- we have to chop our own wood for fire, which may prove to be a hassle this winter, but it's still nice to have it.  Do you see Linda very much any more?  Or is she still even there?  How is George doin?  He doesn't write me any more.  Does he seem to be happy; well as happy as he can be in there?  Does he still work in the library?  I have a car now (it needed a little work) but maybe one of these days I'll make it up there.  Wallace is closer to D. L. but it costs more on the bus for some reason, plus they cut my welfare grant down cuz other people live with em.

Anyway take care & please answer back.  I'd like to hear from you, plus find out about my old man.  Tell him hello for me.  Hope to see you when I come out.  By for now.

September 4, 1975 (Letter from Diane)

Hi there!  Remember me?  The social whirl I mentioned turned  into a whirlwind but by next Feb. I should be OK.

Honestly, I don't remember ever going through a time like this.  My birthday celebration lasted a week during which I had six houseguests one night -- four sleeping places.  My parents and sister were visiting for a week right after that.  It was very enjoyable -- and tiring!  Mom & Mary Ann had their first swim in the ocean and we even talked Dad into getting wet.  You heard of the tidal wave that hit England?  I know, that's not nice but did you ever go shopping for extra large swmming trunks at the end of the season?  Frustrating!

Grayce tells me that you've coming East soon.  I am really sorry that I'm not going to be able to go to Pgh.  The trip to Dallas with all its additional expenses is soon.  Even more important, my uncle (who is one of my favorite people) underwent open heart surgery last week.  The day after the operation, his mother fell -- broke her hip & is in critical condition.   My aunt is a wreck.  So I'm spending my weekends there in Baltimore.  But if you don't call sometime during you trip, I'll never forgive you!

The job is becoming both more frustrating and rewarding.  What do you do with a supervisor that panics at the first thought of making waves?  And the executive offices are becoming distressingly militarism to the Nixon White House.  Nobody gets to see "The Man " without seeing "the man" first.  And the brown-nosing is enough to sicken anyone.  .  Oh yes, we have been receiving bomb threats quite frequently.  Luckily -- or deliberately -- the caller has been choosing beautiful days.  Since it takes an hour to "search" the 14-story bldg., it's free time to go shopping, walking or visiting at the historical sites.  Today we saw the slide show at the new visitor's center next door.

Speaking of which, I'm toying with the idea of developing some kind of AV presentation on special library services.  How do so many people get degrees without knowing what a card catalog is?  Anyway, if you have any ideas, I'll appreciate hearing them.

For the fall, I'm thinking of taking a course in -- don't laugh -- quilting.  I've always loved quilts.  My grandmother gave me some squares she had embroidered that have to be assembled & I want very much to do it myself.

Did I tell you I was nearly evicted?  I put the rent in escrow until they got rid of my bugs.  Oh, the howls of protests!  They finally fogged the place.  I had to clean out all the closets & wash all the dishes -- and things seem to be OK so far.

Last Sat., some friends & I went to the Penn State-Temple football game.  We missed the whole first quarter & each team's first touchdown because we were sitting on the expressway stuck in traffic.  After we got there, PSU nearly lost the game & won by only one point.  Whew!  It was terrific to be in the old college atmosphere again.  Brought back beaucoup memories   Sometimes I'd do anything to go back to the other-worldliness of Happy Valley.  But I'd never go through all that hassle!

I forgot to tell you the rewards of working for the C of E.  The greatest one -- the annual raise - is in danger, thanks to Ford.  We're still hoping, though.  Otherwise, it's very gratifying to see a collection of told, dusty books gradually evolve into a working library where people can actually find things!

Do you think you'll make it until May?  Hope the Montana winter's not bad.

Paul, I am very disappointed that I won't get to Pgh.  Call!  (Collect!)  And if you can drag yourself East during the Bicen, you'll always be welcome here!

August 14, 1975 (Letter from Barb L)

Yes, it's been a while -- now that I have a few things settled my mind is free enough to write.  The last week just about did me in -- a pregnancy scare of the first magnitude.  I was really getting anxious -- 12 days late & good reason to worry.  But, never fear -- I got my period Monday nite -- have been celebrating for 2 days & nites.  Whew!  Did I ever write to you about Jeff? -- the guy I work with at the workshop, he's from California -- did a thing w/ him this spring & we had a little reunion last month but I've learned my lesson with him -- no more involvement.

I've come to the conclusion that I've been acting irrationally for some time -- don't know exactly what to do about it.  If I was that kind of a person I'd to go a psychiatrist & say "Fix me up", but that's not my trip.  I can't really explain what's been happening in my head -- kind of a subject/object conflict -- I can see two opposite points of view on every single issue in my life & experience a desire or need for each solution -- both of which are opposite!  Simple example -- I feel a strong urge for warmth, fellowship, sharing & settling down at the same time that an equally strong urge for travel, exploration & danger manifests itself.  My old method of going on instead cannot solve the dilemma.  I can't even find the true instinct!  Rationality doesn't help -- a rational solution never satisfies the emotional side.  It's very perplexing & extends to all areas, not just the one narrow one I've shown you.  It must be middle 20's menopause so famous in friends & acquaintances.  As a highlight to this slate, I am going up to Boston next week & am staying at Rick's.  That relationship endures despite everything -- don't know why at this point.  Going to see him pregnant would have been better melodrama but bad living.

I am racking my brain still on how to come out there, & how to get out of my job long enough to do it.  My current wish (?) is to go back with you in September & then to fly back.  What do you think of that one?  I can't do it this month because I can't get any time off more than 2 or 3 days.  Every summer I seem to find myself indispensable in some job or other working every day while the sun shines.  Of course you know the feeling by now, but it's not that bad of late.

Your recent letters have been well-written and interesting but there seems to be a distance there -- maybe it's the objectivity of your point of view.  I can't find any expression of feelings in your writings of late, but maybe that's what your aiming for.  Your commentary on Michael came as no surprise -- I have no unconquerable urge to go & tell anyone about it. I hope he's calm now & happier. I know it's a hard thing to accept for him, as it would be for anyone, but especially someone as sensitive as Mike.  My only concern would be the callousness you find in that life, as I've seen affect Tonie & others I've known.  I sure hope Mike doesn't have to go through that aspect.

Your idea of collating and editing your letters sounds like a familiar fantasy.  I don't know now if I could force myself to go through the past that closely, but finding the patterns would be good, really good.  Our correspondence has been somewhat erratic -- it seems to come in spurts, but maybe it 's my letter-writing habits of the last couple years -- my letters are few & far between now, but I've kept up the journal I started 2 1/2 years ago.  Even in that I find that it's the same pattern -- spurts of writing with a time lapse in-between.  Seems like when the feelings are in movement then the writing begins, but when things are calm & ordinary there's no need for it.  With discipline the writing would take place constantly but I admit I don't exert it.

Would you cre to hear some Warren news?  There's not much!  Mardi & Mardi are in Maine for their vacation.  Haven't seen Mardi much this summer due to social plans, etc. (of hers), plus I'm not living in town.  Did I ever tell you I moved?  I got a trailer on Jackson Ave. Ext. at the end of June -- it's up near Scandia Road (Fifth Ave. Ext.) - -it's the last dwelling on this road & from here on it's farms & woods.  It's small but not bad.  I have a garden & a yard & Harry & Sanchez like it! The only drawback is always driving anywhere, so I don't know what will happen when winter comes.  I like the privacy most of the time but miss the easy access to people and places.   I have been going more to Scandia area lately than Warren, except to go to work.  I go up to Timmy's farm to swim or to Well's Ferry on Roper Hollow.  I'd be much more content to stay home if there was water around here.  I miss the ocean!  I've never gone though a summer without it in 6 years!  I feel landlocked.  But I get to be near it next week, even if only for a day.

Here's my address now:
1034 Jackson Ave Ext
Warren
726-2538

Back to local news -- Joan is leaving Meadville next month.  She still doesn't have her divorce due to Freddie's blocking of it but is leaving anyway.  Latest I heard was Atlanta & she has a job offer there.  She really needs to relax & let go & I think a city will do it for her.

I don't know what's happening w/ your brother, Dale.  Every once in a while I see something in the paper about it.  I guess it will go to court & I wish him luck with Judge Wolfe.

Can't think of any more news!  You probably know more of what's going on in Warren than I do -- I'm oblivious to it all usually -- I live in my own little world no matter where I am.  Right now it's a trailer on Jackson Ave!

I'm running a bath & about ready to go to bed -- haven't had much sleep lately -- (5 or 6 days).   Now it's relax time, or crash time, whatever you call it.

Thanks for your letters, even though you got no answers --

I will be seeing you in about a month -- the last time was sitting on your porch on the 4th of July a year ago -- seems like 5 at least.  I'm looking forward to th is one!

P.S.  Write & encourage or discourage the idea of going back with you to Montana in Sept.  I don't want to infringe on your free movement.

P.S. again!

Am re-reading Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.  Absolutely intriguing book.  I'm searching for some good reading -- you know there's nowhere to go & look for some around here  Any recommendations?

August 6, 1975 (Note Card from Mardi)

Just a quick note to say hello.  I'm sure I've owed you a letter for quite some time now, but just can't get to it.  We are leaving or Maine Friday around 4 p.m. and driving at night; hopefully Matthew will be more comfortable.  He's definitely got a bad case of the "wiggles".  He will be 11 months old Sat. which is amazing!

Last night we had company from Maine.  I don't know if you remember a Melody Wood from high school, but she & her husband have teaching jobs in Maine & enjoy it.  She flew down with her 7 mo. old son.  We hope to see them when we get there.

I don't have your last letter with me to remember what's "goin' down" out at Deer Lodge!  Barb has been thinking of going back with you, if & when you come out in Sept.  Wish I had another couple of weeks of vacation this y ear but I'll get more time next year.  I want to get out to Tucson to see my cousins & check out the area.  Sue Smith may be moving to Albuquerque and I 'd love to see it.  Marti & I just may be moving one of these years.  If only Mpls. had no more snow --

August 6, 1975 (Letter from Lar)

I've got some spare time so I'll write you before I go to bed.  I haven't had much time to sit and relax lately.

My garden is doing good.  I've picked a lot of squash (zucchini & yellow) and beans.  The tomatoes are just starting to ripen.

Had a nice time in New England.  I always like going to Ed & Gen's.  John is getting big.  He's doing alright for being over protected.

I really enjoyed going thru Vermont & New Hampshire gain.  It's such beautiful country.

It was nice to get away from Warren for a week but I was glad to get back.  Especially to my job, which is the thing that keeps me in Warren.

I got a Swedish album from the library.  Barb has been listening to it a lot but I've only had a chance to hear one side.  It's an excellent album.

Today is Wednesday.  It's been raining all way.  We needed the rain a lot.

I bought the book "The End of Affluence" by Paul Ehrlich.  I recommend it highly.

August 3, 1975 (Letter from Mrs. Peroski)

It was really nice to come home from work & find a letter from you.  I am just sorry that I have not written you sooner; as you know all my free time is taken up with Matthew & my mother.

It doesn't seem possible that you have been out there a yr. already.  Look at me!  March will be 17 yrs. at Cowdrick's.  By the way.  Your dad passed through the store the other day & I told him I received a nice letter from you.

Sorry to hear that your car gave out on you.  Don't feel bad!  Look at me. I have no car & I don't miss it.  For one thing I could not afford a house & car both with my salary.

Paul, I hope we all get to see you before too long.   Our little fellow will be 11 mos. old on the 9th of Aug. believe it or not he soon will be a yr. old.  No more little baby & he is going to be a rough one.  I can hardly keep up with him now; because he is so active.  He does not walk by himself yet; but it won't be long.  One of these days he will take right off & when he discover he can get around.  Look out!  When ever you see him you will have more fun with him because he is a happy-go-lucky little fellow.  Laughs all the time.  You will forget the dogs.  They are both doing fine & the dogs & Matthew get along just great.  If Matthew drops any of his toys from the playpen or his high chair; the gos do not touch his things.  They do not bother Matthew in any way.  I think Matthew bothers Ellie; because he gets excited & pulls on Ellie's ears or what ever he can grab. He is a very good baby.

Mardi, is still working at the bank.

We are having our record heat wave right now.  Would you believe it was 100 at the bank thermometer on Fri. as I was coming home from work at 5 P.M.  Last nite in my house it was 90 & today is going to be another hot one.  We hardly had any rain this month.  My little garden is dying of thirst.  Had my first tomatoe last week.  I also have peppers, lettuce, beets, radishes & hope to have some cucumbers if they don't all dry up.  Haven't had to cut the grass in weeks, because it's so dry.

Paul; take good care of yourself you know we all think of you -- Mike always.  Keep up the good work & dont' work too hard.  Remember we must take the bad with the good.  Most of all stay healthy & eat good.  My many thoughts & prayer are with you.


P.S.  (Haven't heard from Mike since last May.  He is working; but not at his kind of work that he wants.)

July 31, 1975 (Letter from Grayce)

Pittsburgh Press, November 3, 1948

Back from fantasy-land!  I really feel very relaxed today, but I definitely miss the beach.  Now I'm looking sourly at several heaps of wash that must be done by this evening.  One thing I really hate is unpacking.  I've been know to not unpack for days & just use other things-- until my mother would be ready to kill me.  Maybe it's because I don't like to see things end that were good & then again, maybe it's because I'm extremely lazy -- probably the latter!  Speaking of lazy, I promised myself I'd hem curtains for the dining room, but there they sit, near the wash, reprimanding me with every word I wrote.  Maybe I'd better do some things about at least 1 basket to assuage my conscience and then return?

There -- I fell better already.  Towels are in and everything else is sorted.  Are you still patronizing the laundry for your shirts?  (For shame, if you are.)  Is there a laundry in Deer Lodge?  I'm sure there must be (and if so, Tweety has found it?)

I can't think of a nicer honor than being on your dedication page, although I cannot really claim to have donated any of the spirit you speak of.  I do feel that you are talented & can accomplish your goal but only with lots of discipline, which I'm sure you already recognize.  That seems to be the most difficult part of any talent we are given.  Potential is only a foggy breath on glass.  Oh well--

Speaking of "literary" pursuits -- I was at GSLIS (blasphemy) & saw Grant Lee (do you think his parents must have been Civil War buffs?) & he mentioned the index & then proceeded to not be able to find it!  But he says he thinks it can get published.  God only knows when though.  I didn't mention it -- he did.  So we shall see.  Unhappily, I missed Kate.  I did want to see her. . People there told me that she wasn't well again.  She is still teaching, which is probably not doing her any good, but, then again, I suppose when people are active, being inactive may be more of a harm.

Maybe we can visit her when you come for a visit?  By the ways -- have any plans gelled on that lately.  Oct?  When -- how long, etc.?  I'm only being pushy because I'm anxious!  And also because one of the purposes of my being is to plan!  (And make alternate plans, too, of course.) Brook refuses to listen to any plans whatsoever because he doesn't believe -- but we know what concentration can do, don't we? I suppose that if enough plans go awry anyone can lose faith, huh?  Maybe even me.

Almost time for the shirts to go in.  I'd better bring them down.  Be right back.  Luckily I made tonight's dinner ahead of time and froze it -- uh, modern conveniences.  My grandmother still will not use any of these, though.  She gets up at 5:30 each morning & attends 6:00 mass and comes home by 7:00 after chatting with friends.  It takes her about 2 hrs to prepare their main meal which they have at 1:00 after my grandfather comes in from scouring the junk stores on Passyunk Avenue where he is well-known.  *(He likes gadgets!)  Maybe their life is better, but I doubt that life will ever be that way in America unless we have a catastrophe of some sort that forces it upon us. Maybe I should go to Idaho, just to live a simple life for awhile.  I know I could do it here, but I would not really be forced to.

I don't have a really automated life, I suppose.  I usually walk when I have to go somewhere (within reason, anyway) and I never use convenience foods unless I absolutely have to.

When we were on Brook's uncle's farm, something that really struck me was the number of convenience foods his aunt used.  I thought they would use all fresh things &  bake their own bread, etc.  I suppose this was rather naive of me.  They really hardly have any time to themselves -- let alone time for making bread.  My mother does these things, but she doesn't work, so it's really a luxury to be able to do them, I guess.  Getting up at 4:00 a.m. to milk 30 cows precludes bread-baking -- a new rule?

While we were on vacation I saw a drop spindle in a little shop which will let me do some of my own wool spinning.  It was only $3 and although it's difficult to learn to use, it will be better than paying $200 for a spinning wheel.  Now, all I need is some sheep's wool - I wonder if the neighbors would mind if I kept a black sheep in the back yard?  I doubt that they'd be pleased.

Oh well -- I guess I'll never get to 25 or 30 pages!

July 26, 1975 (Letter from Kathy and Gary)

Using up some old stationary I found would you believe from before Gary & I were married?!

I really thought you had left Montana since it had been so long since you had written.

We would really love to have you come visit.  Thought maybe (was going to say be in your area but it is Big Sky< Wyoming, not Montana!!) -- for a dental convention but went to one in Las Vegas in stead that was more suited to me.

How did things turn out with your car?

We've been super busy this summer trying to get day work, night house work, yard work and play all in.

Gary is still with the motorcycles.  Things are looking better lately for him than they did for a while but time will tell.

My garden is not going as well this year as other years.  We've had really weird weather.

August 7

Never did get this ff.  Gary came home and I got sidetracked.  He's working on the brakes of our little Ford truck.  They cut our telephone wire Saturday when they cut the alfalfa around us so we've been without a phone for almost a week.  Can't understand what's taking so long.

Schneider's are coming here the 2nd & 3rd week in September.  It's been 2 1/2 years since we've seen them -- hard to believe.  Need to get some dinner going.  What have you decided to do --

July 29, 1975 (Letter from Barb N)

Hello.  I am in Warren sitting in the living room and listening to George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" album.    It's nice to be away from the Navy.

We had a real nice time in Mass.  Most of the time was spent in Johnny's pool or playing jarts and chess.  I finally found a chess set for only $3.69.  It was on sale.  It is magnetic board.  I'd say it's the size of a regular checker board.  We saw all Mom's close relative.  It was interesting.

Johnny is turning out pretty good in spite of his overbearing parents.  We got along with with him. Johnny's grandmother showed us a few pictures of Sweden.  She is a real fine lady.

I started doing my yoga exercises last week. I think it will benefit a lot.  I am trying to get my physically and mentally in good shape.  I want to change myself to a better person.

I was going to call my detailer today, but I misplaced his number.  I will have to call him when I get back from leave.  I hope to get overseas by October.

I am now in the process of giving my clothes to the Salvation Army.  I have so many needless clothes that are never worn.  I certainly won't be able to take a lot with me overseas.  I will have to be practical.

I bought some shoes in Mass and they are the most comfortable shoes I've worn in a long time.  I'm throwing away all the ridiculous shoes I've bought for pure style.  I see no need to follow fashion when my health is endangered.  I can't see how I could wear some of my shoes, after stepping in the pair I have now.

I bought 5 shirts from India.  They have them in the Penney's store at the Enfield Mall in Conn.  The rest of my new wardrobe will be hand made byt myself in the near future.  I have a few ideas in mind.

I am going bike riding this afternoon with Pam Bonace.  She got a teaching

July 26, 1975 (Letter from Debbie)

I just thought I'd write a quick note to let you know I haven't forgot about you.  I've been quite busy lately.  I just moved in my my townhouse.  It's fantastic!  For the first time in a long time I've got my own bedroom!  It's really a nice place.  The neighborhood is something else.  It seems as though the girl next door and I are the only girls here who aren't living with someone.  This group is consisted of mostly divorced women all very close to my age.  The girl next door is going with a married man!  This is some neighborhood!

So has anything exciting happened with you?  Boy, I sure do miss you.  You've got to come and see me.  Well I'm running out of space so I guess I'd better go for now.  I'll write more later.

July 15, 1975 (Letter from Grayce)

Dear Tweet (Polar Bear, Sven, sugar hater, ozone protector...ad nauseum.)

Although I can never hope, in my wildest imaginings, to write you a 30-page letter, one can never tell, I suppose.  Anyway, it will give me something to aspire to (no matter how I try, I always have dangling participles! -- it sounds so false the other way) I must say, though, that I was quite pleased to receive your letter (it brightened an otherwise dreary week in which my emotional state may be typified by the above picture).  I'm so glad we write.  I've gotten some insights that I wouldn't have if we had been talking -- of course, the opposite is also true.  And I hope you can visit.  I don't care when, but you'd better get here!  (That's a request, although, it sounds like an order.)

About the ozone.  Actually, I have been aware of this crusade for quite some time.  I could never use spray deodorants, or anything else for that matter, since they react strangely with my skin, which is probably the strangest of the strange anywhere on the face of the earth.  I think many people have heard of the dangers involved, but they are too lazy to give up convenience items that they have grown accustomed to (another dang. partic!!!)  I mean people are so lazy.  (Me included, of course, but not in this particular instance.)

I seem to have a preference for parentheses, also.  I suppose it indicates lack of foresight, but I don't think it's too serious.

I have a theory about the ozone.  (Paul say, oh, oh!)  I promise to make it short!  Anyway, I always thought that at this time in history people were supposed to mate with people of another skin color, not all at once, of course, but gradually.  And since a medium loss of ozone will only affect white people (if I were a fundamentalist, I might say they deserve this for their past behavior?) then by the time the ill effects start to occur about 25-50 years from now, people will have (ideally) stopped robbing the atmosphere (as Oregon has) and also have started to protect themselves against the ultra-violet rays.  These are just the highlights of the theory, but, as I said, short!

As for your being the holder of two (?only two) such incongruous nicknames, just count yourself extremely lucky if it ends there.  I seem to have this need to tease people.  It's not good and some people must not like it and misunderstand it (although I don't think you are one of these people --= am I right?)  I have one friend that I still call "Chapel" because her nose is so cute.  I can't explain it, though and she's stopped wondering why.  Brook thinks I'm really (and truly) crazy.  When I first met him, it struck me that he hardly ever laughed or smiled.  And once when he did, I was very surprised by it and it didn't seem real so I accidentally said "Bozo" -- not even meaning to, but it just slipped out.  (I suppose because of the "painted on" smile.)  He was very hurt because he thought that I was saying he looked like a clown.  So I really felt badly.  I still have to watch my little nicknames for him.  He's awfully sensitive about things like that. (Of course, he can call me "Mickey Mouse" -- and that's not too bad considering some of the others he's come up with) and I can complain til my ears fold up, but it doesn't  do any good!!!

Anyway, I only nickname people I fell pretty strongly about and, fairly I suppose, since stranger might seek to have me locked up!!!  Do you really think I'm warped?  I ask because sometimes I worry.  Several people have told me I was really "odd".  Brook, in one of his relatively few tactful moods, told me I was a "collector's item".  If even my best friends have told me things to this effect, I can imagine what strangers think.  I really would value your opinion wince I think you know certain aspects of my character pretty well.  I guess you will think I'm weird, but I am very afraid of being "insane" if that would mean being locked up.  Otherwise, I wouldn't mind if I could just be left alone.  I don't think I would ever turn into a violent person and I hope not, anyway!  So don't start ordering my strait-jacket yet.

Well, on to a more pleasant topic.  On July 23rd, Sr. M Ronald leaves for Florida for 2 glorious weeks of vacation!  (For us, also.)  I can't wait.  Unfortunately, she's getting another nun to come in for those 2 weeks (is this pen skipping business contagious, do you think?)  to "watch us" (those are her actual words).  We're not exactly thrilled by this, but she can't be as bad as SM Ronald.

My weekend at home was bittersweet.  As usual, I got to see almost everyone for about 1/2 hour. I only got to see Ange at the "shower" and couldn't really talk there.  She and John got an apt in the Northeast which is an hour and a half away from center city and 2 hrs from my parents house (and that's if there's no bad traffic on I-95).  I know we won't see each other very often.  I am also upset since the people upstairs are moving to New Mexico.  It seems as though as soon as I meet people they leave, am I that bad?  This happened with people at Seton Hill also. I'm sorry; I should not pour these thoughts out to you as often as I do.  I'm sure that this is meant to make me self-sufficient and I just have to grow up!

As for children -- it would seem that they would certainly be nice to have.  I'm not sure though.  I don't want to have them to make me happy.  And I'm not sure that I'd be a good mother. Neither Brook no I fell ready right now so I guess we don't know what the future holds.  I meant to go into depth about this, but I find that I don't have a ting to say.

Anyway, I hope to get to see you soon.

July 15, 1975 (Letter from Diane)

I don't know whether I should be aggravated with you for not disclosing what the warden has against you or sympathizing with you over your cold.  Since you're probably over the cold, that leaves aggravation,  But I'm too droopy.  Maybe later.  (What is it, anyway/)

Everyone here is droopy.  It's been raining for almost two weeks with floods, lightening (I know) -- the works.  Montana weather seems great after 80-90 weather with 90-100% humidity. And they tell me August is worse.

Because we couldn't go to the shore, one of my friends from Penn State and I went to Longwood Gardens.  It was formerly the DuPont summer estate and now is 100 acres of the most beautiful gardens and conservatory I've ever seen.  Especially now that the waterfall is turned on.  After all that walking we were starved so we went to Chadd's Ford with the niave (?) thought of finding a pizza parlor.  What we did find was Chadd's Ford Inn which looked like a dump.  Actually it was a camouflaged Top of the Triangle.  Can you imagine cut-offs and a patched-up shirt?  It's a good thing it was early Sat night or we'd have been very uncomfortable   Expensive it already was.  We should have guessed - -it was right across the street from the Brandywine River Museum.

Do you have any idea when you'll be coming East?  Grayce told me early fall, maybe Sept.  I may be going to Dallas for a workshop on Sept 27th.  If not Dallas, maybe Colorado Springs.  So I hope you don't choose that weekend.  Please let us know when you decide.

Grayce was in town for the weekend.  Although we couldn't meet, we did get to talk, long distance, for almost an hour.  Sometimes I think that me and my friends (my friends and I) keep Ma Bell going.

Nothing much has been happening.  I'm longing to go to the shore again but everything is working against it.  If it isn't raining, something else, e.g., baby showers (I'm getting to hate showers), people visiting, etc.  Of course, I've just stopped peeling from the last trip 3 weeks ago.

Maybe there will be something exciting to report in the next letter, if we don't get flooded down the Delaware.  Meantime (nobody would ever believe I was an English major), keep in touch.

July 13, 1975 (Letter from Bev)

I certainly hope that summer has reached your part of the country by now.  The weather has been excellent here until this past week.  We've had rain every day for a week now and the sun hasn't even peeped through the clouds once.  I had been enjoying the nice weekends by going to Rehoboth Beach and even though I was only getting sun on the weekends, I had a fairly nice tan. Rehoboth is a really nice place -- a very clean beach and not too crowded.   This coming weekend I'm going to Wildwood and Cape May, N.J. to see what the Jersey beaches are like.  The distance is the same for me from New Castle to either Rehoboth or Wildwood.  If gasoline prices keep going up, I'll have to cut down on my travelling.  I'm paying about 58.9 for a gallon now.  The prices went up 5 cents just before the 4th of July.  If Pres Ford lifts the price control on oil, the price of a gallon of gas will surely sire. It's disgusting!

Did you get your car repaired?  I just had to get a new muffler and tail pipe put on my car and soon I'll need two new tires.  If I absolutely didn't need a car, I wouldn't have one.  But it's impossible to live without one around here.

I think I did tell you that I was playing on a softball team at the hospital.  Well, our season ended the last Wednesday in June.  The team that I was on only won 1 game and lost 8.  Not too great a record, but I really didn't care that much about winning.  I miss playing and especially I miss the exercise.  On July 25th the league is having a banquet for us.  I do play tennis about 2 or 3 times a week. My tennis has improved greatly, but I'm still not able to serve as I would like to.

Now that the fiscal year for 1976 has begun, I was able to hold a library committee meeting and order some new materials.  The committee was very agreeable and I've ordered lots of new books and cassette tapes.  I've decided to spend our budget by December, hoping that by spending it all before January we will not get cut like we did last year in February.  I can't wait to start getting some new materials in so I'll have some cataloging to do again.  (I'm afraid I've forgotten how to catalog!)  The amount of people using the library has picked up just recently and that makes me feel better.  The hospital just got 3 new doctors who are starting their residency training here. They're all foreigners -- 1 is from India, 1 is from Korea, and 1 is from Ceylon.  They're in the library daily studying.  I've never seen such diligent people.

In September, after I've been employed at the hospital for a year, I'll be getting a new job classification -- from Librarian I to Librarian II.  This doesn't mean a change in any of my duties, but it will give me an increase in salary.  It brings me up to the pay grades and that is a substantial raise.  On top of this I'll be getting a 12% cost of living raise.  The State passed a bill giving all state employees a raise effective Sept 1.  All this extra money is greatly appreciated, but I'm still looking for a new job.  The VA hospital in Wilmington has an opening, but I don't know what is holding up the process for filling it.  The librarian told me that he was definitely leaving the position and if I was interested I should apply.  I spoke to the personnel dept and they assured me that if I were qualified I'd be called for an interview. I had also written to have my federal eligibility extended for another year.  They told me that I would appear on the job list when the VA requested such a list, but the VA hadn't requested the list yet.  I really don't  know what's going on there.  The librarian has gone -- he's in the psychiatric unit of Wilmington Med Ct as a patient!  He had a nervous breakdown.  I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I get an interview for that job.  It would be a much better position and I'd really like to get on the federal payroll.

Well, I guess I should write some more letters.  I've fallen behind in my correspondence.  I would also like to start reading The Moneychangers by Arthur Hailey.  It's sitting on my coffee table staring at me and being the lazy person that I am, the book may win out over the letters.

Enjoy your summer and write when you can. Take care.

P.S. Diane's birthday is 8-6.

July 9, 1975 (Letter from Barb N)

Hello how are you?  I hope your job is going better for you.  Is it still tense in the prison?

I am taking leave starting the 20th of July and ending the 11th of August.  Now that I decided to go home I am anxious to get home.  Mom said we will go to Mass on Monday the 21st.  I haven't seen the relatives in such a long time that it will e good to visit them again.  I think we are going to visit Cape Cod also.

I have decided to go overseas.  My career counselor went to D. C. and he talked to my OS detailer.  I had a choice of going to Damnek, which is a small base 20 miles from Norfolk.  If I stayed in this area I would move off base and since I don't have a car it would be harder to rely on another person for a rid.e  I also would not be able to go overseas if I transferred to Damnek.  So I called my detailer and he told me they had 1 billet for Italy, and a few for Iceland, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.

McZiemba changed my mind about Iceland.  He told me to pick Italy.  I would be able to tour Europe more easily.  I don't know if I will get Italy.  I will probably find out after I get back off of leave.

Have you read the book "A World Beyond" by Ruth Montgomery?  It talks of life after death.  I now believe in reincarnation.  I have also gotten any books I can find concerning Edgar Cayce.  I don't know how Mom and Dad will react.  I want them to read this book and think about what it does say.

Paul I wish I would see you again.  I am almost positive that I will be going overseas.  It will mean that I won't see you for another year and a half.  But I am thinking what I will do once I get back. Wherever you are at I will take leave and fly out to see you.  I don't like to lose contact with friends I care for.  Even though you are my brother I also consider you a friend.  I believe that you love from not seeing a person.  Of course, you can always get reacquainted with each other.

I feel at this point in my life I need to get out and receive experience from daily living.  I am happy about the position I am in.  I look at others I know and I'm so glad I didn't get into a rut of being married.  (I guess the Nelson's are hard to get a hold of at the altar.)  But there is so much that I have to learn through patience and experience.  That is another reason I choose to go overseas. To travel was one of my reasons in joining the Navy.

I feel an inner calm that I am acquiring.  I know how I stand with God now.  It was hard to find him with the background we had.  We could follow him as a religious philosophy and never come to peace with him or truly open our hearts and minds to what he is.  To me denying there is a God is denying the existence of yourself.  I believe the church wants you to be afraid of him like a shadow. He lurks and knows all you do.  The only person who knows all you do and will judge justly is your soul.  I never understood but now I do.  It's part of my inner peace.

I couldn't accept Christians who lived to save their necks by trying to "save their souls".  For me I couldn't accept my feelings of a God, but I could not deny them. I want to be a better person to mankind and not to fool people throughout my life.  This is what I have to do next.  I have to accept people as they are.

I was told by some English sailors never to trust anybody and they meant it.  I don't believe that because trust means a lot to me.  Sure you can't have someone to totally rely on if you can live by your own means, but you need trust between each other.

People can fool me by lying to me, but I will never fool a person by lying especially if I would harm a person.  There are too many people being lied to and one more lie does make a difference.

From reading the prophecies to Edgar Cayce, there is going to be a lot of changes from now until 1998. I think daily living matters more.  You have to find peace within yourself.

I am almost done with another working day so I'll close now.  I want to write more to you.

10 July -- Good morning.  It's another day.  What else can I say about it?  So far it doesn't look too promising, but I'll have to change that.  (I don't seem to be functioning this morning.)

Did I tell you I am considering going to school after I get out of the Navy?  That is after Larry and I go to Sweden.  I can't really say what I will do.  I would like to travel a bit when I get out.

I have a lot of friends who want to live in Australia.  I don't see what the big kick is about living there.

We went camping last weekend in Nags Head, North Carolina.  I slept in the car with the windows down and the mosquitoes got me for a feast.  Nothing I put on the bites have discouraged the itching.  I want to sick call and they gave me Benadril.  Just what I need.  If you were a pill freak you could keep a good supply from sick call.

We did have a good time in Nags Head.  We had a raft and rode it on the waves.  (You could fit four bodies side by side.)  When the waves would break we'd get thrown over.  The waves were pretty decent on Friday.  The only thing that would bother me was at night I would close my eyes and see the waves breaking.  I like water and I'm not afraid of it, but I have to respect the ocean.

Have you been hiking?  Do you like Montana, now that it is summertime?

I better go to work now.

July 7, 1975 (Letter from Larry)

I recently received your letter.  I owe Barb a letter but I wanted to write to you in reply to your letter.

You didn't enclose the cartoon in the last letter.

Bruce, Mike, and I went to Allegheny State Park this weekend.  We met the girls from Buffalo. We always have a good time with them.  We went to see them in Buffalo about a month ago.

It's been hot, humid, and dry here.  We need some rain.

I'm glad to hear you're getting along good without your car.  I wish I didn't need my truck, but if I didn't have it I wouldn't be able to do yardwork and haul stuff for my garden.

I was surprised to hear that your stereo isn't the valued possession it once was.  It is nice to have when you live alone.

I would really have to make a drastic change to buy a TV.

The tone of your letter sounds like something from The Mother Earth News.  If you can get a hold of Mother Earth you should read the interview.  They're great.  Like Paul Ehrlich No. 28, John Shuttleworth no. 31 & 32.  Paul Ehrlich as a couple good books.  "The Population Bomb" and "The End of Affluence".  A book I think you'd really like to read i "The Great Frontier" by Walter Prescott Webb, copyrighted in 1951. I got it from the library but never had a chance to read it.

Your letter didn't sound too preachy.  I've felt that way for a long time.  Something has to be done about the fucked up way this world is run.  I think we're in for some hard times ahead.  The simpler we live in the future the easier it will be to make it if and when times get bad.  That' why I want to learn as much as I can about growing my own food.  To me that's one of the most important things in life.  We could have a good life if technology was used properly instead of abused.

It's Tuesday nite.  The only time I get to write is before I go to bed.

I think the reason the straight press doesn't write about the greed of the big corporations is because they are controlled by big money.

People are like sheep. They will follow anything.  People are afraid to change their ways, unless it b ecomes "in style".

There are times when I'd like to leave this country and go to Sweden.

We can't go on consuming at this rate.  There has to be a big change coming in the future.

I'm enclosing a letter from the Cousteau Society.  I think I'll join it, the money would be put to good use I'm sure.

July 8, 1975 (Letter from Denise)

Montana Summer 1975

Hi!  I just wanted to drop you a little note to let you know that everything is A.O.K. over at the Walley's house.   Kenny's back from the hospital about three weeks ago just in time for me to go in.  Yes, I went into the hospital on June 24th at 2AM and had a little girl at 11:11 AM the same day, June 24th.  She has blue eyes, weighed 6 lb. 15 oz. and was 20 inches tall.  She looks just like Kenny.  We named her Wendy May.

The last letter I wrote you was the day Kenny went into the hospital, and I was so scared something was going to happen to him.  His burns were really bad, all 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th degree burns.  His burns were so bad that they (West Penn) were going to fly him to Kentucky.  West Penn didn't have any room in the burn unit, so that's what they were going to do.

When you get time, write us a letter.

July 7, 1975 (Note from Dave and Lyn)

Sonja

We hope all is going fine with you.  Enclosed is $5.00 to pay for our part of the phone bill.  Maybe you have paid this bill already.  Anyway it was sent to my folks address.

Say hello to Sonja and Homer.

Homer

June 30, 1975 (Letter from Grayce)

You are probably still arm fro basking in the lovely California sun. I hope your return was not marred by any problems at work.

May be you should tell me about all your ALA adventures?  Did you see anyone there that yo knew?  How was the job market?  I just realized that I'm writing on this paper upside-down -- typical.

Next Monday, Linda wants to me "show her around" GSLIS.  It's the last thing I want to do, actually.  II don't feel like seeing anyone from there right now, but I suppose I must -- did you ever stop to consider how many things we do that we don't really want to do?  Not things we hate, but just little silly things that clutter up our existence?  For me it's phenomenal -- I haven't much direction, I suppose.  Sometimes I just feel that we are all a bunch of cells bumping into each other, anyway and I wonder why I even try to do anything.  It doesn't seem to matter much.   Do I sound in despair?  I guess I do -- I really am not, so maybe I should remove myself from this line of thought.  I just have a feeling that this next year will be a landmark.  Either it will be a dormant time before some big decision or it will be a very busy time in itself -- with lots of change.  I kind of hope it's the former because I don't think I have the strength or stability now for the latter.

In August, Mother Seton will be "canonized" and naturally Seton Hill will make a big deal out of this.  I have been "commissioned" to do a display of scenes from Seton's life for the library.  We found some old prints which were done in black and white drypoint.  I am to give them color and tone and make a display.  The only thing I'm really glad about is that I get to do all this at home, and do not have "the tyrant" peering over my shoulder at all times.  I can't believe I'm getting paid to do something I enjoy.  They're even supplying the pastels, fixative, etc.  I have until August 1 to do 33 prints. So far, I've done 8.

This past weekend was a very nice one.  It was the Rohr (Brook's mother) family reunion in Columbus, Ohio.  At first I was reluctant to go since I do not like "big" things where I have to cope with a lot of strangers at once.  But we figured we had better go.  Brook hadn't been there for 4 years and his mother was pressuring us.  So...  Anyway, Brook  and I were put up at his uncle's farm about 35 miles outside of Columbus so we had a really good time.   I had never been on a farm before and everyone was anxious to initiate the "city kid".  Brook's cousin Terry just assumed that I would want to milk a cow.  I was terrified.  I'm sure the poor cow wasn't exactly thrilled, either, but somehow, after much giggling by all the farmhands and cousins and Brook, I did it.  I also got to feed all the baby calves with these gigantic milk bottles.  Brook got to bale hay (which did wonders for his allergy.)  So I didn't envy him at all.

One neat thing -- being awakened by cows and sheep in the morning instead of an alarm clock does wonders.  Those farmers certainly work diligently.  They never go away and I really admire their endurance and discipline.

I think I don't have much to say this time.  I'll be going home on July 11th cause Ange's shower is on the 13th.  I think I'll fly.  I can't stand buses and I'm more afraid of trains than planes anymore -- with all the accidents that have been happening lately.  I may take the midnight flight since it's cheaper.  My father will just be so pleased to have to come pick me up at the airport at 1AM.

Please forgive this letter.

P.S.  It just occurred to me lately that you might live near a desert.  (Do you?)  I know you will think I'm a real pain but (please don't  think I'm crazy) if it's at all possible, could you send me some dried weeds of flowers or baby grassknots or anything like that.  I know you probably can't especially now without a car, but if you ever do come across any -- could you?

June 29, 1975 (Letter from Larry)

It's about 8:30 Sunday morning and I thought now would be the best time to write.  I've been real busy and haven't had much spare time.

There's nothing unusual to tell.  Mom's probably filled you in with everything that's been happening lately.

Dale looks nice with his haircut.  I think he will start settling down after the summer is over. High school friends have a lot of influence on him, but I think Dale will be less influenced in the fall and start using his head.

Barb was home a couple weeks ago.  She really looked nice.

Do they have Mother Earth News in the prison library?  I've noticed in the personal columns where prisoners want to correspond with  Mother Earth type people.  I'm sure there are a lot of prisoners who'd like to read the magazine.

We're having our class reunion at the Youngsville Fire Hall.  I'm looking forward to going.

I'm hoping Mom and Dad go to New England this summer cause I would like to go.

Hope things are okay out in Montana.